Dear friend,
At the end of June, it will be a full six months of writing to you every day like this. It’s mostly a one way affair, but sometimes I do hear from you which is nice.
There’s a challenge on the horizon for me. Today I’ll be speaking openly about an unjust situation I and my work colleagues have been exposed to for several years now.
There are repeated reports by staff at the school where I teach of harassment and intimidation at work perpetuated by individuals in positions of influence and power.
It’s a tough thing to face, because when a culture is built on harassment and intimidation it’s an unsettling and confusing environment to be in . It distorts your perception so you don’t know how to talk about it constructively. Toxic is a common word for it, the poisoning of the community by fear.
The toxic working environment is a primary reason for my resignation from my teaching post.
It’s on my mind.
The first stage in solving any challenge is to accept that there is a challenge. Pull back the invisibility cloak and have a look at what’s under there.
Relationships are built on foundations.
If the foundations include openness and trust and mutual respect. Grounded in shared principles, supportive of personal and collective well being, the community stands a chance of thriving.
Build your house on secrecy, fear, intimidation and harassment and it is bound to be an unhealthy place for everyone.
Anyway. It’s something to face with equanimity and mutual respect. The false self loves the role of victim as much as it loves to be the outraged avenger.
Love conquers all.
Quite literally.
Trusting that love is here for us, in us and all around us, we can lower our defences and let ourselves be guided.
Oh, the moth from yesterday was set free in the pine tree in the garden. Hopefully there was enough shade there for it.
Life on earth presents us with challenges and it’s through them that we grow. They just keep coming. Accepting them, greeting them with an open heart, courage, respect, a willingness to consider different points of view.
Lasting strength is gently persistent.
A river valley.
Till tomorrow
Love
Mikey
“A river valley” is a lovely mental image. 🏞️